Hooks emphasizes education in history to acheive goals

Benjamin L. Hooks, civil rights icon and instructor at The University of Memphis, spoke on campus last night about overcoming racism with education.

Instead of focusing on past wrongs, black students should learn about the Civil Rights Movement and American history as a way of avoiding future oppression, Hooks said.

"Yes, there were slaves, and yes, there were segregated water fountains, but you as a young black person should not become bitter about it," he said. "But rather, use the experience to overcome and remember that there were white people who gave their lives for the freedom of black people."

Hooks' speech comes shortly after the Tennessee Board of Regents' decision to stop requiring American history for all undergraduate students at The University. The U of M was the last college in the state to require the course.

Jan Sherman, chair of the history department, said she hopes students will still choose to take American history classes.

"Civil rights is so central to The University and the Mid-South area, and I can't help but think students who don't know their history will be confused," she said.

The civil rights activist is the first in a three-speakers series titled "Civil Rights and Social Justice: Past, Present and Future" sponsored by The University. After their presentations in Washington, D.C. - Hook delivered yesterday's speech last month - the speakers will return to campus and rehash their talks for students.

While Hooks and other civil rights leaders fought for civil rights with court cases, sit-ins and boycotts, he said today's racial problems will be solved by education.

University President Shirley Raines, who said she was inspired by his speech, accompanied Hooks on stage.

"He's an icon," she said. "We are so fortunate to have Rev. Hooks at The U of M and in the community because of all he has accomplished."

Although Barack Obama was recently elected the nation's first black president, Aaron Boatwright, sophomore earth sciences major at The U of M, said there was still a need for civil rights activism and leaders like Hooks.

"There will always be some inequalities because our society is so big and diverse, but that's no reason to stop fighting," he said.

Other students, like Brittany Gamble, sophomore nursing major, said they think racial lines have largely evaporated since the Civil Rights Movement.

"We've come a long way, and we have what we came for," she said. "We have our citizenship and our right to vote."

Gamble said she thinks racism is a personal issue rather than a societal one.

"There will always be rudeness in the world," she said. "If people would just treat others the way they wanted to be treated, then there wouldn't be as many problems."

Crystal Woods, sophomore music industry major, said she doesn't think society's history of inequality will repeat itself but that individuals naturally surround themselves with people of the same races.

"It's just a split society," she said. "You can't move on with specific issues if you don't learn about the past."

In addition to educating young people about the nation's history, Hooks said it is also important to educate them about the purpose and function of affirmative action.

"Young white people should stop viewing affirmative action as punishment," he continued. "We should look at affirmative action as a necessary way out because young white people were not there. You may not have been there, but you are beneficiaries of those who were there."